SRT8CUDA Build

[RealWing]

I sprung for a new set of repro rear side panels from Layson's since my originals were very brittle and cracked.
They are not quite correct for a Cuda at the top but close enough. (They are correct for the Dart apparently)

 

[Hellcat Cuda]

Check out sandersreproglass.com and see if they have it. They have glass for the 2nd gen. coupes and fastbacks, and probably the convertibles too.

Some @#$%^& turkey doing previous bodywork, didn't protect the window glass when they were sanding and scratched both my rear (tinted) windows:sad9:

Spent a couple of days polishing the glass (Eastwood glass polishing kit) to try to reduce the extent of the scratches, however, they were deep and I cant get them all polished out. I've been looking for other glass but haven't found any so far.

 

[RealWing]

Check out sandersreproglass.com and see if they have it. They have glass for the 2nd gen. coupes and fastbacks, and probably the convertibles too.

Thanks for the link. I didn't know about this place. Unfortunately they only have the windshield and vent window glass.

 

[Hellcat Cuda]

Did you call them? I'll bet if your windows are in tact, they could use them and make you new pieces. I would think they'd love to do that and then have the patterns they can add to their inventory.

 

[RealWing]

Completed the cold air intake using a Spectre Performance 4" polished aluminum tube (97991), a K&N Oval filter ( RC-5129) and a Grote grommet (91740). Also installed the intake air temperature sensor in the tube.

 

[cuda20]

You do beautiful work. Your attention to details is amazing.

 

[RealWing]

You do beautiful work. Your attention to details is amazing.

Thanks. On one hand I want to get this project finished, but my engineering "voice" over-rides and prevents me from just throwing it together:angel12:

JIm

 

[RealWing]

Got a few pieces installed on the front end.

 

[RealWing]

REmoved the fish and replaced with the new badgeO

 

[HemiMark]

REmoved the fish and replaced with the new badgeO

I've been following from the beginning, haven't posted much or at all? but just wow, I love it. Nice job.

 

[RealWing]

I've been following from the beginning, haven't posted much or at all? but just wow, I love it. Nice job.

Thanks.
I can't believe that this thread has over 69,000 views so far. I initially thought I'd post some photos and that would be it. However people seemed to want more and more details, so I posted more and more info - and now the thread has maybe become too long for anyone to wade through? In hindsight, I should have broken it up into different sections.
Jim

 

[Joe Dokes]

Hmmm, like the fish, like the SRT8 emblem. Must have been a tough decision.

As usual great quality work.

Regards,

Joe Dokes

 

[RealWing]

I thought the hood latch was originally a silver cad finish, but now I'm not so sure. Looking at some other latches, they may have a brown zinc or maybe a black phosphate factory finish. Does anyone have any insight?
I'm not making this car concours-correct by any means, but would be good to get most finishes correct.
I'm pretty sure the hood safety latch is a brown zinc finish in looking closely at my original.
Thx
Jim

 

[qkcuda]

Bad picture Jim, but the only one I have on this computer. Mine is original and is like you say kind of a dull brownish zinc finish, same for the latch mechanism. I could take more pictures if you want.

Dave

 

[RealWing]

Bad picture Jim, but the only one I have on this computer. Mine is original and is like you say kind of a dull brownish zinc finish, same for the latch mechanism. I could take more pictures if you want.

Dave

Thanks Dave

That confirms what I thought
Jim

 

[brokengarage]

Thanks for the link. I didn't know about this place. Unfortunately they only have the windshield and vent window glass.

Like mentioned, I would call them. They made a rear quarter glass (tinted) for my 68 fastback.

 

[BIG-B-Barracuda]

nice!

 

[RealWing]

I stripped and repainted the hood latch assembly to try and duplicate the original brown zinc finish.
I used a black zinc phosphate first and then a very light dusting of dark brown. The result - instant brown zinc finish. Not really- but close enough!!

 

[qkcuda]

That looks a lot closer.

 

[RealWing]

After installing all the hoses and filling the system, after the first run, I had a leak from the suction fitting on the pump. I thought it was the hose connection at first but it turned out to be a loose suction fitting.
In order to get he pump out, I had to drain the rad and remove it to get access.:banghead::banghead::banghead:
The suction fitting is a piece of tubing that is pressed into the pump and then sealed with what looks like hot glue. The fitting was loose and easily removed.
Not impressed. I really hate going backwards.
I've got an e-mail inquiry into March Performance to see what they have to say.

 

[RealWing]

Got a prompt reply back from March Performance to say that the pump is made by Tuff Stuff. So I sent them all the info and they got back to me within an hour!!
They said they no longer sell that pump with the tube (although it is still shown on their web site). They now use a threaded AN fitting - which is far better.
They suggested using epoxy to seal that fitting in the pump - which is what I was going to do.
I'll have to clean everything really well and probably do some grinding inside the pump to get a good surface for the epoxy to adhere to. Just a few more hours of work:banghead:

 

[Hellcat Cuda]

Wow, not impressed with the customer service of both those companies. The design of that product was hokey and has been replaced, but they just brushed you off, telling you to use epoxy instead of stepping up to the plate and sending you the new product. Geez, really?

 

[RealWing]

Wow, not impressed with the customer service of both those companies. The design of that product was hokey and has been replaced, but they just brushed you off, telling you to use epoxy instead of stepping up to the plate and sending you the new product. Geez, really?

I agree. Tuff Stuff told me they didnt use that tube design any more and that the hot glue sealer between the tube and housing wasn't theirs.
Their web site said otherwise. It has a photo of the pump with the tube and with the sealer.

 

[RealWing]

Like mentioned, I would call them. They made a rear quarter glass (tinted) for my 68 fastback.

This was their response

Thanks for your inquiry. Unfortunately these are pieces we do not have in our inventory nor do we produce custom bent/curved glass so this is a project we will not be able to help you with. Good luck in your search.

Sincerely,

SandersReproGlass.com
(360) 892-2029 Option 4
[email protected]

 

[RealWing]

Started to install the rear windows in the car. Cleaned up all the front and rear mechanisms and parts to get ready to install. Used lots of solvent to remove all the old hardened grease and glass bead blasted the springs to remove the rust.
Now for the fun part to get it all in the quarter panel and back together.